How do I install the mcp confluent mcp server?

Use a recorded configuration for your client, replace example credential values and paths, and verify the documented runtime. Restart or reconnect the client, then inspect the available tools.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `KAFKA_API_KEY`, `KAFKA_API_SECRET`, `SCHEMA_REGISTRY_API_KEY`, `SCHEMA_REGISTRY_API_SECRET` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

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MCP Confluent MCP Server

Confluent MCP Server

Local serverstdio

What is the MCP Confluent MCP Server?

Confluent MCP Server

The short version

An open-source MCP server that enables AI assistants to interact with Confluent Cloud, Confluent Platform, and standalone Apache Kafka deployments through natural language. It provides 50+ tools across Kafka, Flink SQL, Schema Registry, Connectors, Tableflow, and more -- usable from any MCP-compatible client including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Goose, and Gemini CLI.

What it needs from you

Node.js 22.19.0 or later -- we recommend using NVM to manage versions: - pnpm -- only needed to build from source (the npx quick start above does not require it). On macOS the simplest install is Homebrew; npm works cross-platform: See pnpm's installation guide for other options. The

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

How to install the MCP Confluent MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "confluent": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@confluentinc/mcp-confluent"],
      "env": {
        "KAFKA_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "KAFKA_API_SECRET": "your-value",
        "SCHEMA_REGISTRY_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "SCHEMA_REGISTRY_API_SECRET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

Node.js 22.19.0 or later -- we recommend using NVM to manage versions: - pnpm -- only needed to build from source (the npx quick start above does not require it). On macOS the simplest install is Homebrew; npm works cross-platform: See pnpm's installation guide for other options. The

Variable	Description	Required
KAFKA_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
KAFKA_API_SECRET	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
SCHEMA_REGISTRY_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes
SCHEMA_REGISTRY_API_SECRET	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes

Example prompts to try

“Use MCP Confluent to Category.”
“Use MCP Confluent to Documentation.”
“Use MCP Confluent to Diagnostics.”

Frequently asked questions

Confluent MCP Server Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.

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